Axe Finally Falls on Women's World Cup Coach

Women's soccer coach brings back outspoken goalie after benching her for World Cup finals

(NEWSER) - Outspoken goalie Hope Solo is on the US women's soccer team roster for games against Mexico later this month, reports the AP. The 26-year-old player publicly criticized coach Greg Ryan for playing Briana Scurry in her place in the World Cup semifinals, and was kept from practicing and playing in the team's third-place final. More»

Player banished from games; coach under fire for not playing her

(NEWSER) - The US women’s soccer team just suffered one of its worst World Cup losses, but all eyes are focused on the team’s outspoken player and embattled coach. Goalie Hope Solo was banished today after publicly criticizing the choice of veteran teammate Briana Scurry to replace her in the Brazil match. Solo has apologized, but one of her teammates still called her presence a “distraction.” More»

(NEWSER) - St. Louis' showboating, self-proclaimed "loudmouth goalkeeper" is somebody fans love or hate and that's exactly what women's soccer needs, Jason Zengerle writes in the Atlantic. Hope Solo—who refused to wear the "girly" pink outfit provided when the Women's Professional Soccer League kicked off earlier this year—can help give this league the edge missing in the short-lived last league, Zengerle argues. More»

Scores 2 goals in first 4 minutes, hangs on to win

(AP) - Norway jumped on the United States from the opening whistle, getting two goals in the first four minutes today to beat the US women's soccer team, 2-0, at the Beijing Olympics. The US occassionally looked dangerous, but seemed to miss injured leading scorer Abby Wambach. It was America's first loss under new coach Pia Sundhage. "My glass is always half full," said Sundhage, "so for us it's a new experience to lose a game." More»

After US goalie's outburst, team rethinks the need for unity

(NEWSER) - Hope Solo's infamous criticism of her coach got her booted from practice and competition at the end of last year's World Cup, and depression almost kept the 26-year-old from returning to soccer at all. But now the US team has a new coach, a rejuvenated Solo, and a fresh plan for winning in Beijing, Sports Illustrated reports. More»